Anyone who enjoyed Sam Morrow’s last release will be delighted with ‘Getting’ By on Getting’ Down’. Mixing classic southern country rock layered with physcadelic funk and great grooves, it's all topped off with Morrow’s gravel edge vocal and great guitar playing. He's on good form here.
Opening with ‘Rosarita’, Morrow struts his way through the track with all the flourish of a classic 1970s country rocker as he sings about his favourite source of pleasure also being his biggest source of pain. In a similar vein, complete with a guitar riff that pays homage to The Beatles ‘Paperback Writer’, ‘Money Ain’t a Thing’ continues the melodic country-rock theme.
Taking inspiration from Lynyrd Skynyrd, Tony Joe White, Little Feat, and Los Lobos, Morrow mixes up the genres with ease. In fact, on ‘Getting’ By On Getting’ Down’, his guitar playing is better than ever as he appears to effortlessly embrace the best of rock, blues, and funk, overlaid by soulful melodic solos.
Embracing his blues influences, ‘Round ‘n Round’ is a punchy earworm that immediately catches the listener’s attention and sets their feet tapping. The title track is delightful melodic boogie based shuffle that is an addictive listen, whereas Morrow’ turns up the fuzz pedal for the funky driven rocker ‘Make ‘Em Miss Me’, and also turns out some of the most notable guitar work on the record.
Re-inventing the classic sound of American country rock ‘Getting’ By on Getting’ Down’, is a sassy record full of soul, that defines Sam Morrow as an artist with an organic ability to cross genres and deliver a classic.